Aparna NS
For Aparna, loving an artform to the point of constant, perpetual self-exploration is a way of life.
What Aparna NS did here
From Play to Learning: Creating Space for Children to Grow
The children arrived for Sunday’s dance class in a playful mood, so we began by giving them some time to play before moving into the structured session. They participated enthusiastically in the muscle-strengthening exercises before we started practicing Adavus. The children remained engaged throughout the practice and made consistent efforts to understand and perform the movements. Learning Adavus requires repeated practice, coordination, concentration, and patience. As children gradually become familiar with the movements, they learn to coordinate different parts of their bodies and develop greater awareness of their own movements.
Building Rhythm and Coordination Through Revision
On Sunday, most students were absent, so I used the class to revise Adavus and Mudras and introduced basic Chollu and Thalam. This helped me realise the importance of adapting my teaching to the students’ needs and giving them enough time to develop rhythm and coordination. I learned that even a small class can be a valuable opportunity to observe and support each student.
Applying spatial awareness to Bharatanatyam
On Sunday, the class focused on directions and spatial awareness, an important part of learning dance. While practising the "Tha Thai Thai Tha" adavu, the third set of steps in Bharatanatyam, the students faced an interesting challenge. When I demonstrated the movements facing them, many students naturally tried to mirror my actions. However, in this exercise, they often needed to move in the opposite direction. This caused some confusion, and there were a few mix-ups with right and left turns. Instead of seeing these mistakes as a problem, we used them as a learning opportunity. We discussed what was happening, tried different approaches, and practised repeatedly. Sometimes I turned around and demonstrated the movements with my back facing the students, while at other times they consciously tried the opposite side to understand the directions better. Slowly, the students began to figure it out. By the end of the session, they were moving with much more confidence and awareness. The class showed that learning dance is not just about memorising steps it is also about understanding space, directions, and learning through trial and error.
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Aparna's introduction of Mudras and Sanskrit
On this Saturday (12.09.2026), Aparna focused on the fundamentals. She taught the students Thattadavu and Nattadavu, while also explaining why these basic steps are so important in building a strong foundation in dance. After working through the adavus, it was time for the students to explore the Mudras. While the movements themselves were interesting for the students, remembering and pronouncing the Sanskrit names proved to be a little difficult. Some students hesitated, especially when the unfamiliar words did not come easily. But Aparna had a simple solution: repetition. She kept encouraging them with the same words, again and again “Guys, repeat, repeat and repeat. You will remember.” Rather than expecting them to get everything right immediately, she gave them the space to practise, make mistakes and try again. she know's that Slowly, the unfamiliar Sanskrit words began to sound more familiar, and the students became more confident in remembering and pronouncing them. It was a small challenge, but it became an important learning moment. The session showed how patience, repetition and encouragement can make even something that initially feels difficult much easier to learn.
Friends of Thudippu - Edition 05
Yes!!!!!!! Kerala is rich and diverse in every aspect, and art is no exception. There are many art forms and communities that have been practising and preserving these for generations, without expecting anything in return. These art forms are a reflection of the history, culture, and people of the land. So, the question for us was: how can we bring art forms like these into the mainstream? How can we create an experience where people can come together with their friends, engage with these art forms, and help them reach a wider audience and continue to thrive? That is how the idea of Friends of Thudippu (FOT) came to life. Since then, we have successfully hosted four editions at Thudippu Studio, Vennala. As we began planning the next edition, we wanted to explore something different. “What if we take Friends of Thudippu (FOT) closer to a place that is deeply connected to Kerala’s cultural and historical landscape Fort Kochi and Mattancherry?” And the whole team went: YES! We started with a basic Google search and shortlisted a few spaces to understand what might work. But Google wasn't our only source of information. We also reached out to friends and people around Kochi, and they suggested a few spaces and possibilities that we hadn't come across ourselves. One of the spaces we came across was Artiko Tales, Mattancherry. It took us a while to finally explore the space because they had shifted to this new location only about a month earlier. On the day we went to visit, we reached a little early. Instead of going straight to the space, we walked through Jew Town. It was a beautiful, peaceful evening. The yellow lights were already on, the streets were quieter, and the character of that historic place felt completely different at that time of the day. We decided to stop for a tea. And somehow, that chai time became an important part of the process. Sitting there and talking, we started thinking about what it would actually mean to bring the next Friends of Thudippu edition into this neighbourhood. It wasn't just about finding a venue anymore. The place itself started becoming part of the idea. When we finally reached Artiko Tales, the first sight was incredible. An artist was sitting and painting in a room filled with artworks, paintings and small sculptures. Some were finished, while others were still in the beautiful process of becoming. She got up, smiled at us and said, “Hi, I'm Sudharshana.” She was the founder of Artiko Tales. We started talking about the space and our idea for Friends of Thudippu. And then she told us that she already knew about Thudippu. That small connection felt unexpectedly meaningful. At that point, the space felt less like something we had simply found and more like something that had somehow come back to us at the right time. We were happy, excited, and, honestly, a little emotional about it. We decided to go ahead with Artiko Tales. and yes The right space isn't just one that can hold the audience, it's one that can hold the experience.
Dance students move into adavu and mudra practice
The community dance classes are moving into a more technical stage, with students practising adavus and mudras. These are some of the more demanding parts of Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam, so the sessions are focusing on posture, hand movements, coordination and getting the basics right through repeated practice.
Community dance classes move into abhinaya practice
The Thudippu team ran the community dance classes, splitting them into children’s and adults’ sessions. Aparna now teaches both groups more technical dance, including abhinaya, expression and communicating emotions through movement.
Community students practice for an upcoming program
Community students came together for dance practice ahead of an upcoming program at aikyam space. The sessions also created more time for the group to learn together, support one another, and build stronger connections through regular practice.
Dance class carried on with regular practice
The community dance class continued with regular practice as participants prepared together and strengthened their confidence through every session.
Rehearsals began for a performance in August
Community members practised with dedication for their upcoming performance in August. We improved our confidence, coordination, and stage presence through regular rehearsals while preparing together for this important event.
Thudippu students practised for their first stage show
Thudippu Dance Foundation spent the day practicing with students for their first official stage performance. We focused on improving coordination, confidence, and stage readiness. It was exciting to see the students preparing together for this important milestone.
The community dance class practised together again
The community dance class continued. Participants practised together and built confidence through regular learning and teamwork.
Students grew steadier with every dance practice
Students continued their regular dance practice, improving their confidence, coordination, and expressions with each session.
The community dance class met to practise together
The community dance class brought participants together to practice, learn, and build confidence through dance.
Thudippu ran a semi-classical dance workshop for all levels
Thudippu ran a semi-classical dance workshop. People of all experience levels attended. We made space for them to explore movement, music and self-expression while learning together.
The kids' dance class worked on new steps
The regular kids’ dance class continued on Tuesday, 14 November 2023. Students practised new steps, expressions, and coordination. Regular practice helped them become more confident while learning in a fun and encouraging environment.
The dance club practised movement and teamwork
The dance club continued with regular practice. Participants built confidence, coordination, and teamwork through movement.
Steps, rhythm and expressions practised again
The regular dance class continued with students practising steps, rhythm, and expressions. Consistent participation helped them become more confident and comfortable with each session.
Dancers learned from each other in the group class
The community dance class brought people together to learn, practice and enjoy dance as a group. Regular sessions helped participants build confidence while learning from and supporting one another.
The dance class worked on new movements and expressions
The regular dance class continued. Participants practised new movements, expressions, and coordination skills. With each session, they grew more confident and comfortable, showing steady progress in their learning journey.
Dancers from different backgrounds practised together
The community dance class took place on 14 March 2024. Participants from different backgrounds learned and practised dance together. As confidence grew, many participants became more comfortable with movements, expressions, and group coordination.
The children keep building skill and discipline
The children continued to grow their skills and discipline through regular practice.
New steps learned at the community dance class
The community dance class continued with enthusiasm as participants learned new steps and practised together.
The children dance with more confidence than when they started
The children continued to make good progress in their dance classes. Compared to when they started, they were now more confident, coordinated, and comfortable performing different steps. Regular practice helped them grow in both skill and confidence.
The adult batch started coming in dance uniforms
The adult dance batch started attending classes in their dance uniforms on 14 March 2024. We moved them to the next level of training. This shows their dedication.
Another dance session spent on movement and expression
Students gathered for another dance session on 14 March 2024. We spent time refining movements, rhythm and expressions. Through regular practice and shared enthusiasm, we became more confident performers while enjoying the connection and teamwork that dance brings.
Dancers built on steps learned in earlier sessions
Students returned to dance practice on 14 March 2024. They worked on new steps and revised old ones. We saw them improve in coordination, rhythm and confidence. They seemed to enjoy it.
The young dancers worked on coordination and rhythm
The young dancers continued to develop their coordination, rhythm, and expression through regular practice and gentle guidance. The sessions helped them build confidence and enjoy moving and learning together.
Discipline and storytelling taught alongside the steps
The children learned the discipline and storytelling at the heart of Bharatanatyam. We practised steps, expressions and coordination regularly, which made their movements more confident.
Another day of Bharatanatyam practice for the children
We ran another Bharatanatyam class at the space. The children continued learning movements and coordination together while building confidence and discipline through dance.
Bharatanatyam students learned to tell stories without words
The Bharatanatyam class had energy as students practised expressions, postures and movements together. With every step and hand gesture, the children were getting to know how dance can tell stories without words.
Children and adults practised Bharatanatyam side by side
The Bharatanatyam class brought children and community members together to practice steps, postures, and rhythm as a group. With every session, the space slowly grew into a place where learning, discipline, and art came together.
The Bharatanatyam class now runs in two batches
The Bharatanatyam class now runs in two batches. Yesterday, five new students joined, bringing fresh energy as we continued to learn steps, rhythms, and expressions together.
Hand movements and expressions practised in dance class
In the dance class, students practiced hand movements and expressions under guidance. With each correction and repetition, they slowly understood how every gesture tells a story.
Steps and body movements drilled in the Bharatanatyam class
In the Bharatanatyam class, we practised together, focusing on basic steps and body movements. With guidance and repetition, each movement slowly became more confident and expressive, bringing the dance to life.
Expressions and gestures began to tell a story
The question turned into a moment of learning, as expressions, gestures, and small movements began to tell a story of their own.
Community members practised basic Bharatanatyam steps
Community members attended Bharatanatyam classes on 14th March 2024. We learned basic steps and practised together with focus and consistency.
The dance faculty's birthday was celebrated after class
Community members attended Bharatanatyam classes on 14 March 2024. We learned basic steps with focus and consistency. We also celebrated the faculty’s birthday together.
Acting and expression added to the Bharatanatyam lessons
We did acting and expression training as part of our Bharatanatyam lessons. We looked at how to show emotions and tell stories using faces and bodies.
Twenty-five students finished a long Bharatanatyam session
25 students from Fort Kochi and Mattancherry came for Bharatanatyam classes, and by the end of a long, tiring yet beautiful session led by our esteemed faculty, Aparna.
- A fee-paying dance class started with the students — Saturday 2 May